News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

A Ukrainian drone attack damaged the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga in Leningrad Oblast early on Sept. 1, regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko said.

"Contrary to Russia, the European Union does not interfere in elections," European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told the Kyiv Independent.

Russia continued its attacks on Kyiv for another consecutive night as air defenses in Ukraine's capital shot down Russian drones late into Aug. 31, according to Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground.

"Over these two years, our defense industry has become a strategic sector within the country and has begun to integrate into the defense industrial architecture of Europe and the United States. I thank the President for the trust and the opportunity to be of service," former adviser Oleksandr Kamyshin said.

The two U.S. envoys have yet to visit Kyiv, despite leading Trump's efforts to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war and repeatedly traveling to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) published new details about the Russian 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile on Aug. 31, revealing that its actual capabilities fell short of those claimed by the Kremlin.

Many in Kyiv’s business community think that the starting price is too high for the market, particularly as Russia has escalated attacks on Ukrainian businesses, including shopping centers, in recent months.

The explosion occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time in the building’s inner courtyard while a bomb disposal team was on the scene, the National Police said.

Kyiv and the surrounding region remain key targets of the strikes, with eight air raid alerts sounding by 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.

“We don't know anything about this meeting,” one Ukrainian official told the Kyiv Independent.

The Financial Times reported on Aug. 30 that Elon Musk was open to Ukraine using Starlink-equipped drones to strike targets in Russia, but said the decision would ultimately be a political one requiring approval from the White House.

The two leaders' meeting took place in a "friendly and constructive atmosphere" and focused on bilateral Russian-Chinese ties, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Vadym Chenchyk replaced Valerii Vavryniuk, who had served as acting chief since his appointment in January 2026.